What foundation do you use? Recommendations please!

[swooosh]

I've used Estee Lauder Double Wear for the past few years but recently I've not found it as good as it once was and I'm now looking for an alternative!

My skin is combination, quite dry in the mornings but end up with an oily T-Zone some time early afternoon! I like good coverage because I get a bit spotty sometimes

Any ideas?

Marking my place as I have the exact same problem.

I use No 7. I had the skin test to get the right shade and I love it.

I have an oily T-Zone and dry everywhere else and it covers brilliantly.

It even covers my spots on my chin!!

Ysl. The new one with serum is great

Has anyone tried MAC or NARS? Just deciding on whether I can get away with the big Boots in Lakeside or have to venture to Stratford.

Thanks for suggestions so far!

vitalumiere

I just swapped from double wear to bare minerals. Very pleased so far

QVC- you can send it back within 30 days for a refund(even opened and used)

Both MAC and NARS are very good. I've discovered face primer which makes a huge difference on making foundation last. And do prep the skin and exfoliate often!

I also use Chanel face lumiere powder which sets the foundation and mops up oils nicely!

Almost exact same as you , I am going to try dior forever with Laura mercier hydrating primer . Might not last quite as long as double wear but a nicer finish from the dior .

Lily Lolo - it's a mineral foundation like bare minerals but cheaper and better and they do much better brushes too. They do cheap sample sizes too...

Swoosh - I have the same problem so don't know if this'll help unfortunately.

Apparently you're meant to apply a primer that's suitable for oily skin on your T zone first then foundation but all the ones I've tried haven't helped

I currently use Loreal infallible matte finish. It's about £8 when on offer in Boots and comes with a built in brush - brilliant coverage - decent enough to cover redness around nose, spots and dark circles but not so much that I'm caked in it. Unfortunately I still get oily T zone by the afternoon - I reapply/blot with powdered paper if out and about.

I'm thinking about swapping to a compact to see if it combats the T zone any better.

Nivea primer and studio fx MAC is amazing stuff!

Sorry that took ages to write for some reason

Cookie That sounds fab - what primer do you use?

Smee I've heard of them but can't find it in the shops.

Chanel aqua lumiere, boots no7 radiant finish, by terry sheer expert are the main ones that I used depending on how my skin feels and how much coverage I need. Bobbi brown also do a couple of good ones.

Chanel aqua lumiere is great for light coverage on combo skin. But for more coverage I love Liz Earle, not too pricey either.

Clinique Supermoisture makeup

I also like the Chanel aqua vitalumiere thingy one. Not v heavy, but I don't like heavy coverage. And it's really glow-y. I suppose the technocal term is luminescence. Get me.
Anyhoo after a long time with EL, this is my current one.

Technocal?! Wtf! Technical obv.

You need a primer that matches your foundation in terms of formula-so they both need to be silicon based, or oil based, or water based. If they don't match they won't work well together. Primer adverts will tell you they wil keep your foundation on but it's only true with the right foundations!

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation is the best of the hundreds I've tried for me but it's enormously expensive so on clients I tend to use MAC face and body which is v lightweight but can be built up without stickiness. It's water based so look for a water based primer to go under it.

Ahhh thank you!! Aontoinette

spooky! just this month I have nervously switched from el double wear (since 09) - what's going on with it? looked so cakey/ghost like with last one I ended up dreading wearing it every day

anyway just switched to 'clinique even better' - goes on like a dream and leaves a dewy look.

Hi, I have tried a lot of makes including Chanel, Dior etc and I had a make up artist when I got married who swore by mac and bobby brown, sister companies so quite similar stuff and I have never looked back I am mac all the way now. I would recommend you go and ask them to make over your foundation and then test drive it for 24 hours before buying to make sure you are happy with its wear and how it looks in different lights and do this until you find your perfect one. Good luck.

Hi, I have tried a lot of makes including Chanel, Dior etc and I had a make up artist when I got married who swore by mac and bobby brown, sister companies so quite similar stuff and I have never looked back I am mac all the way now. I would recommend you go and ask them to make over your foundation and then test drive it for 24 hours before buying to make sure you are happy with its wear and how it looks in different lights and do this until you find your perfect one. Good luck.

I'm a long time Estée Lauder DW user, and other foundations I like are diorskin nude, Dolce and Gabanna Matte foundation, Givenchy Éclat Matissme, and my current favourite Becca Matte Skin Foundation, this is really natural and long lasting. I always use MAC SPF 50 primer under foundation.

Max Factor Whipped Cream/Creme. I've had loads of compliments since I've started using this. It's very easy to build up in problem areas my whole face